James a



J. A. AUSTIN.

Blotter.

No. 224,124. Patented Feb. 3, 1880.

UNITED STATES JAMES A. AUSTIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF I. KNIGHT, OF SAME PLACE.

PATENT OFFICE.

AND SAMUEL BLOTTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent. No. 224,124, dated February 3, 1880.

I Application filed August 23, 18:79. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES A. AUSTIN, of New York city, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Blotting-Pads,'of which the following is a specification.

I make a rounded or rolling pad, with great facility for introduction and removal of the blotting material, and adapted for very close stowage for storage or transportation. The pockets in the under side are flexible, and may be closed up when required.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure l is a side elevation, showing my blotter in condition for use, but with part broken awayto show the construction. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of I the same complete. Fig. 3 is a cross-section. Fig. 4 is a partial side view, adjusted for stowage. Figs. 5 and 6 show slight modifications. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal, .and Fig. 6 a cross, section.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

A is a back of pasteboard, partially cut off along the lines a, so as to produce flexible ends A"A. These ends are secured by flexible cloth or leather B, so as to form V-shaped pockets, which, for convenience, I will designate pockets A. They are flexible, and when the blotting-paper (J is removed may be laid close against the back or body-A, as shown in Fig. 4. This facilitates stowage.

The entire device may be packed as a book among books or the like articles, the pockets A A lying close against the back A and the blotting material 0 lying flat against both, or being packed in another place, as preferred.

The blotting-paper (l O 0 should be applied in sufficient thickness to form a spring or arch of a stiffness to endure the work. In case, for any reason, it shall be judged insufficient, a backing-piece, D, of press-board, card-board, or other stiff material which is sufficiently elastic may be employed, as shown; but I do not consider such generally necessary.

I have shown a top piece, A, applied on the back or top of the back A, the ends of this top. piece, A not being cut and folded. This may be of advantage when the material A proves deficient in stiffness. When pasteboard is employed, I can stiffen the main body with glue or shellac. I believe it will usually serve well either with or without the top piece, A but it is important not tov stiffen the folds a too much. Other material than pasteboard may be employed. Tough wood will serve well.

I have in my experiments given a decorative finish by covering the whole exterior or upper face with a thin coating of cloth or leather, as shown at E. I allow this coating E to extend over the ends and down uponthe folds or pockets A- It thus contributes to the strength and durability.

To adjust the device for work, it is simply necessary to open the pockets or to allow them to spring open and to insert a sufficient body of blotting-paper in the form of a layer of sheets, 0. This is done by bending the whole and allowing them to partially straighten again, with their ends secured in the pockets. When the outside sheet or blotter becomes soiled it may be shifted inward in a moment by increasing the bend of the whole, so as to remove them, changing their arrangement, so as to present a clean one outside, and again replacing them. This may be repeated until all are soiled, when the whole may be replaced by new blotters.

I claim as my improvement in blottingpads- 1. The construction described, having the rigid or slightly-elastic back A and folded ends A, joined by the partially-cut place a, in combination with the flexible side parts, B, and blotting material .C, as herein set forth.

2. The back A, flexibly-folded ends A, and

flexible side parts, B, covered, as shown, by

a flexible materiaL E, and serving, with the blotting material G as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 21st day of August, 1879, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J. A. AUSTIN.

Witnesses:

E. B. BOLTON, WM. 0. DEY. 

